Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-10-14
EVENLY MATCHED.

pOrtance to either The federalS or Cno Con-
federates.
One fine morning in the early spring
John Dickson started out from the little
hamlet to visit his farm, only mile or
two distant Dickson was young man,
but chronic lameness had secured his
exemption from military service, and as
he had a wife and two children entirely
dependent upon him, he regarded his dis
ability as a blessing.
Still, he was a strong Confederate, and
on this particular morning, while he was
limping slowly along the rough country
road, he paused more than once to listen
with frowning face to the sullen boom
of Sheman's guns, several miles away.
''I am not able to do much fighting" he
muttered, "but if they come to Blue Rock
and cut up any of their deviltry I'll kill
some of them if have to die for it!''
He meant what he said. This quiet
young farmer had plenty of grit when he
was put to the test.
The walk tired him, and he left the road
and stretched himself in a grassy place
under the shade of sturdy old oak.
He threw himself on his back and
closed his eyes for a moment. Then he
looked up into the green foliage above
| him.
A queer expression fitted over his face,
but his gaze remained fixed upon one
| point
In careless way he raised his hand to
| his face, and stroked his mustache. Then
| the hand wandered down over his vest
| toying with each button. At last it
| slipped downward to hip pocket, and
| reappeared as quick as a flash of light
/ ming, this time with pistol aimed up
ward.
Now, you come down." said Dickson
| gruff1y.
cha! hap laughed some one up in the
+, tree. t'You have found me, have you?''
The laugh surprised and irritated Dick
! son. His keen eyes had discovered
| fellow in blue uniform sitting on one of
! the topmost limbs of the tree. 1t had
| flashed into his head that it would be an
easy matter to capture him, and march
him into Blue Rock. And now the rascal
was laughing at him
"You'n grin on the wrong side of your
mouth pretty soon,' said Dickson. 81
mean business. Don't you know that
| you are my prisoners"
ffWell, no. was the cool reply. 1T
| hadn't thought of it in that light. In
fact, was under the impression that you
were my prisoner, and I was wondering
how to dispose of you"
| SOulOuuu yOu! IOdl6O GuG yOuuS
| farmer. eff you don't come down at
once, I'll shootI'
''See here, my friend" answered the
| soldier, "you don't understand the situa-
| tion.''
so, don't!' snorted Dickson.
''No, where are your eyes? Take a good
| look, but don't move''
Thus appealed to, Dickson allowed his
| eyes to run over the soldiers entire figure.
He gave a start of surprise The Federal
held in his right hand q revolver aimed at
the man on the ground.
81 have had you covered ever since you
came here,'' said the man in the tree.
''And what do you think of doing?"
| asked Dickson in tantalizing way.
81 am going to shoot if you try to get
| up, or if you cock your pistol" was the
response; "but expect to persuade you
| to drop your weapon and go off to the top
of that hill yonder."
''You are foolr' shouted Dickson.
'Don't you know that somebody from
/ town will come along soon and help me
| capture your
"And don't you know" replied the
other, ''that some of our cavalry are COM
| ing this way, and may be here any mo-
| ment?''
Dickson studied the face above him. 1t
was dark. clear-cut, handsome face, very
youthful and pleasant in its expression.
''Why, you are boy, amt you?' was
| his next question, as he took in the 1.-THE,
| willowy form.
''Never mind what I am; my captain is
| satisfied with me, and that is enough"
'You had better drop your pistol and
| come down. I'll see that you are treated
well''
Ir5+ H. L.
| your weapon and march over that hill, and
| go home to your wife and children, if you
| have any? / am not particularly anxious
| to have our boys come along and capture
| you"
| The frank and fearless eyes looking into
| Dickson's had kind look, and the angry
| farmer found that his wrath was gradu-
| ally melting. After all, he thought, there
| would be little glory in capturing this boy
| soldier. And then the fellows story
| might be true. If the Federals were COM
| ing in that direction it was time for good
| Confederates to hide out.
| ''What are you doing here, anyhowT'
he asked.
81 slipped in Blue Rock last night"
| was the answer, land some of your people
| chased me out. My horse was shot and 1
| had to take to the woods. 1 climbed up
|
| along"
''rn tell you what I'll do" broke in
| Dickson, II don't much want to take you
! prisoner, and don't want to shoot you
| On the other hand, I'll admit that have
| no fancy fo- being shot myself. But Pm
| not going to throw down my pistol. I
| will get up and go to town, and when
| your crowd comes, if it comes at all, YOU
| may expect a hot reception if you are not
| too many for u.s."
There was a pause of a moment, and
| then the soldier in the tree spoke.
'All right, I Il trust you, ~ he said. $50
| ahead and I'll take no advantage of you.
But you may expect to see me in Blue
| Rock before night
"We'Il take care of Blue Rock" de-
| family responded Dickson. 'sWell, I'm
off. Goodbye
And he rose to his feet, and walked off
| as briskly as he could. He scorned to
! look back. If the Federal was mean
| enough to break his word and fire, it was
| all right. But his heart bumped against
| his ribs until he had placed 100 yards be-
| tween him and the tree.
When the blue jackets swa med into
| the village that afternoon, the score or
| two of male inhabitants saw that resist
| ance was useless against such force.
''The captain sent me to guard your
property" said soldier, as he paused in
y am al Obliged to him him, "rer .ed u1cksUn
| "but I don't see why'd
The man went on duty, and the little
| family passed the night undisturbed, and
I with the feeling that they were securely
protected.
''The captain requests you to come to
| his head0uartersl
| This astounding message made Dickson
| little nervous when it was delivered to
him the next morning. His wife could
not conceal her alarm
''There is nothing wrong" the messen-
ger assured her. ''The captain merely
| desires to see your husband a moment
There was nothing to do but to go.
Dickson quoted his wife, and proceeded
to the dwelling indicated to him as the
| captains headquarters.
''Glad to see you Mr.. Dickson" the
captain remarked with peculiar smile
"My wife wishes to thank you for your
courteous and sensible conduct yester-
I day.